08 September 2010
Ex-Service charity Poppyscotland and Learning and Teaching Scotland on Tuesday 7 September held a special screening of a new 20-minute film, which follows the physical and emotional journey of six school pupils during a First World War battlefield tour in Belgium and northern France.
The six pupils from Dunbar Grammar School were among a group of 30 to attend a special screening of The Journey at the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh. Students from Tynecastle High School and Forrester High School also attended the event. The film was made by Poppyscotland in May 2010 as part of the charity’s education project, Sowing the Poppy Seed, which aims to transform the way pupils learn about veterans, remembrance and conflict. A mix of fact and opinion, the film provides a starting point for debate about the First World War and conflict in general.
A DVD will be sent to every school and college in Scotland, featuring The Journey and 32 other films, and includes subtitles in English and Gaelic. The film will also be available online, along with a series of internet-based materials, including planning documents, challenges and teachers’ notes. Also, following the success of the charity’s Poppy Poetry competition for schools in 2009, a new competition will be held this year, in conjunction with the Scottish Poetry Library, extended to older children and adults in further and higher education.
Chief Executive Ian McGregor said: 'We are very proud of our education project. In order for Poppyscotland to continue its work in the future, it is vital that as they grow up young people have an understanding of the difficult and demanding issues that war and remembrance raise.
'Over the past two years Sowing the Poppy seed has provided both pupils and teachers with a variety of creative and engaging learning opportunities and we are confident that this year’s resources, including the powerful DVD, will be a valued asset to schools and colleges across Scotland.'
Anne Jardine, Director, Learning and Community at Learning and Teaching Scotland, added: 'Sowing the Poppy Seed is a superb educational resource that aligns with the philosophy of Curriculum for Excellence. It allows teachers and learners to make meaningful connections across the curriculum, using a powerful and emotive subject matter.'
To learn more about Sowing the Poppy Seed and to view The Journey go to www.poppyscotland.org.uk/education
Keep up to date